ESTACADA -- Police are asking for the public's help in finding vandals who have damaged the emerging Estacada Veterans Memorial before it can be dedicated this summer.

The memorial, taking shape at 267 S.W. Second Ave., has sustained more than $1,000 in damage over the past six months.

"We have increased our presence there as much as possible," said Sgt. James Rhodes, spokesman for the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, which provides police protection to the city. "We are inviting the public to help us identify the individuals responsible."

Vandals tried to yank light fixtures from the wall and broke light bulbs that illuminate the flags at night. Initials have been carved into one of the memorial bricks, and other bricks have been thrown around the site.

Meanwhile, police have found drug paraphernalia and trash.

Police said the recent vandalism was the second strike on the memorial. Vandals caused about $1,000 in damage in October 2010 when they threw large rocks and mud on the memorial and jammed electrical outlets with mud.

The memorial is an all-volunteer effort by veterans' groups working together through the Estacada Area Support Our Troops Foundation. Ground was broken in 2008.

Formal dedication is planned for August.

Rhodes urged anyone with information to call the sheriff's confidential tip line at 503-723-4949. Confidential text messages can be sent to CRIMES (274637 on a cell phone keypad), with the keyword "CCSO" as the first word in the message.